Tweet I started last year by saying that 2016 was a standout year for physical media releases by any measure. What I said was true at the time, and it was certainly clear we were on the front side of a mini physical media renaissance. Knowing that I still couldn’t have predicted the jaw-dropping leap forward that the industry experienced this year. Indicator exploded, Shout Select outdid Scream Factory, Arrow thumbed its’ nose at its epic 2016, and Vinegar Syndrome had some of the best discs of the year. Warner Archive and Kino Lorber got serious about supplements and many others saw growth. The only disappointment for me was a year with no Grindhouse release, but we welcomed AGFA to the party. I will say that this year was hard as hell. I’ve expanded from 15 to 20 single film releases, and there are close to double the honorable mentions this year. So here, with apologies to new films, the bestsingle film and multi-film releases of 2017. Recognized releases take into account tech specs, extras, packaging and the film itself as well as previous releases of the film (and the shape the elements were in). They are not ordered, just listed. Also, there are hundreds of platforms out there lauding the great Synapse Suspiria release. I’m wasting space if I do the same thing. (*note – some specific extras details have been sourced from the distributors and bluray.com) Single Movie: The Bird with the Crystal Plumage – Arrow Home Video (UK) The Argento of the Year for me. Great physical presentation. The huge leap forward in contrast and saturation, great docs, interviews and commentary put this over for me. The Suspiria is great and pretty etc. but that is a film expected to get a huge release, it had one on DVD. This one always gets lazy rush jobs. Besides, the more 4K restorations of Vittorio Storaro’s work, the better. Details: Audio Commentary by Troy Howarth features the author of So Deadly, So Perverse: 50 Years of Italian Giallo Films, who provides a wealth of background information on the cast and crew as well as some the stylistic tendencies on display. The Power of Perception (1080p; 20:57) is an interesting visual essay by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas which examines Argento’s love of offering data that isn’t always exactly what it seems to be (as in the famous early scene in this film in the art gallery). As with several other supplements on this disc, this comes with a spoiler warning (in this case for several Argento films), so forewarned is forearmed. Black Gloves and Screaming Mimis (1080p; 31:54) offers some analysis of the film by Kat Ellinger. I personally find Ellinger’s thick accent a little hard to decipher at times. As with several other supplements on this disc, this comes with a spoiler warning, so forewarned is forearmed. Crystal Nightmare (1080p; 31:24) is a 2017 interview with Dario Argento, who offers some thoughts on what sparked the film, along with his memories of both this shoot and other aspects of his career. An Argento Icon (1080p; 22:05) is a 2017 interview with actor Gildo Di Marco. Eva’s Talking (1080i; 11:19) is an archival interview with Eva Renzi from 2005. This also includes a spoiler warning. Trailers Italian Trailer (1080p; 3:11) International Trailer (1080p; 2:48) 2017 Texas Frightmare Trailer (1080p; 00:55) Additional Content Lobby Cards – 6 x postcard-sized lobby card reproductions. Poster – fold-out poster featuring original artwork. Sleeve – reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork. Booklet – limited edition booklet. Brain Damage – Arrow Video (UK. Near identical version in US) We should be past the point where we are surprised by what...

Tweet 2016 was a standout year for physical media releases by any measure. Classics, genre or current all had stellar releases. Many small companies and labels made bigger pushes this year, and there were new kids on the block as well (looking at you Indicator). The big boys kept being big boys, and some added another imprint (Shout! Select) Here, with apologies to new films, the focus is catalog releases. Recognized releases take into account tech specs, extras, packaging and the film itself as well as previous releases of the film (and the shape the elements were in). They are not ordered, just listed. So without further ado here are the best single film and multi-film releases of 2016. (*note – some specific extras details have been sourced from the distributors and bluray.com) Single Movie: Deep Red – Arrow Home Video (UK) A glorious 4k restoration of Dario Argento’s masterful Profondo Rosso would have been enough, but this limited edition from Arrow comes packed with more goodies than a six foot pinata. If you missed out on the limited, there is a regular release that will still make fans scream. Details: Disc One: Director’s Cut Introduction – a short video introduction by composer Claudio Simonetti from the legendary Italian band Goblin. In English, not subtitled. (1 min,. Italian Trailer – original Italian trailer for Profondo Rosso. With music and effects only. (2 min). Rosso Recollections – in this featurette, the legendary Italian director explains how Profondo Rosso came to...

Tweet In a decade derided for ghastly fashion, terrible hair, some goofy songs (Pac-Man Fever or Wham! Rap anyone?) and some questionable behavior, the decades films unfairly get lumped in with the rest of the baggy, day-glow Aqua-netted pop-culture trough. The 80’s saw the birth of some great trends, some sublime genre pics, the last explosion of the traditional Hollywood Star, some great junk, and the first and last hurrahs of many major filmmakers. There...

Tweet In a decade derided for ghastly fashion, terrible hair, some goofy songs (Pac-Man Fever or Wham! Rap anyone?) and some questionable behavior, the decades films unfairly get lumped in with the rest of the baggy, day-glow Aqua-netted pop-culture trough. The 80’s saw the birth of some great trends, some sublime genre pics, the last explosion of the traditional Hollywood Star, some great junk, and the first and last hurrahs of many major filmmakers. There...